[Trump Era] Donald Trump elected US president in stunning upset victory

Posted : 2016-11-09 13:06

Updated : 2016-11-09 18:43

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump

Republican Donald Trump was elected as the 45th president of the United States in a stunning upset victory that reflects deep voter resentment against the establishment and unsettles allies and foes alike over the question of where he will take the most powerful nation in the world.

The 70-year-old real-estate mogul and former reality TV show host has won more than the 270 electoral votes needed to gain the White House, finalizing his victory against Democratic rival Hillary Clinton regardless of the results of a few states where vote counting is still underway.

"I've just received a call from Secretary Clinton. She congratulated us on our victory," Trump told supporters in New York. "It is time for us to come together as one united people. I pledge ... I will be president for all Americans."

His victory came as a total surprise as the late-minute pre-election polls had widely suggested Clinton was likely to become the first female president in America's history, though her lead over Trump has significantly narrowed after the FBI's recent reinvestigation of her email scandal.

More than 200 million people have registered to vote, a record that reflects strong interest in a race marked largely by the rise of Trump as well as questions about his qualifications to be commander-in-chief.

Trump has repeatedly come under fire for a series of unrefined remarks and far-fetched proposals, such as his accusations of Mexican immigrants as "rapists" and his idea of building a massive wall to keep them out. Still, he has enjoyed solid ratings in what is dubbed a "Trump phenomenon" that underlines voter anger against the establishment.

In another display of such sentiment, the Republican Party also kept control of both the House and the Senate.

Trump, set to be sworn in on Jan. 20, will take over at a time when the U.S. is grappling with the militant group Islamic State, an increasingly provocative North Korea and a host of problems to solve at home, including immigration reforms, job creation and economic inequalities.

The results would have deep repercussions not only in the U.S., but also elsewhere, including South Korea.

Trump views allies as well as U.S. security commitments to them as a cumbersome burden sucking up taxpayer dollars, something that the country should abandon unless they make economic sense. He has even suggested arming South Korea and Japan with nuclear weapons so as to reduce U.S. security burdens.

Trump has also argued that South Korea should pay 100 percent of the cost for 28,000 American troops stationed in the Asian ally to deter North Korean aggression, warning that the U.S. could pull out of the Asian ally unless Seoul agrees to pay more.

Trump has also blamed free trade deals as a key cause of American economic problems in an attempt to rally support from voters struggling with economic woes. He has denounced the pact with Korea as a "job killing" deal and a "disaster," raising the possibility of him seeking a renegotiation. (Yonhap)